In the dawn of the Space Race, before NASA came into its own and during a time when the U.S. military was at the forefront of rocket technology and space exploration, the three branches of the military pursued their own ambitions.
Amidst this competitive landscape, the Air Force explored the provocative idea of setting up a lunar weapons system that could potentially target Earth.
Ambitious Military Proposals
Task & Purpose has previously delved into the military ambitions that emerged during this era of extraordinary exploration.
Following the launch of Sputnik and against the backdrop of a tense Cold War, the Soviet Union and the United States vied to enhance their capabilities in satellite communications, ballistic missile technology, and public perception.
The Moon became increasingly prominent as a focal point, garnering attention even prior to John F. Kennedy’s famous pledge in 1961 to land a man on the lunar surface by decade’s end.
Proposals from this period were nothing short of audacious, with many advocates convinced that the United States could achieve lunar exploration and development at a pace far faster than what history would ultimately reveal.
One of the most elaborate plans came from the Army’s Project Horizon, which envisioned the establishment of a fortified lunar base equipped with advanced armament, from space-based cannons to portable nuclear devices.
Some feasibility studies even floated the idea of soldiers equipped with special firearms designed for lunar combat.
At the same time, in 1960, the Air Force offered its own contribution through a document titled “Military Lunar Base Program or S.RsingleletterabbreviationCorp.3 Lunar Observatory Study.” This outlined a detailed framework for creating a lunar facility.
Operational Strategies and Timelines
This key document specified a timeline and outlined the necessary steps to establish a Moon base.
It underscored an urgent need to act swiftly to gain “maximum military advantage,” with aspirations to have a permanent presence on the Moon by 1969 through a systematic launch and installation approach.
The document frequently referred to a “Lunar Based Earth Bombardment System,” suggesting a capability to strike targets with precision, possibly within a range of two to five nautical miles.
Yet, specifics on the weaponry remained sparse within the Air Force’s proposals.
While it claimed impressive accuracy, concrete details about the types of weaponry to be used were limited.
Given the range mentioned, it is likely that these plans leaned toward nuclear options, as the military was not yet focused on kinetic strikes from orbit.
The Air Force’s vision appeared more expansive than that of the Army, centering more on offensive capabilities than just the defense of a lunar outpost.
Unrealized Dreams of Lunar Warfare
The idea of an offensive lunar base was more than just theoretical musings.
Brigadier General Homer Boushey of the U.S. Air Force articulated the strategic edge that such a base could provide during January 1958, arguing that if the Moon were under U.S. control, it would force the Soviets to initiate any nuclear attack days in advance, significantly extending their operational timelines.
The late 1950s to early 1960s were characterized by unorthodox military experiments amid the Cold War.
The Navy conducted tests involving nuclear explosions that produced radioactive clouds intended to disrupt Soviet missile tests.
Concurrently, soldiers participated in nuclear detonation trials, and the development of nuclear air-to-air missiles marked a broader acceptance of radical ideas reaching the research stage.
Notably, while the potential for these offensive capabilities was recognized, the Air Force noted that the actual deployment of such a bombardment system could be deferred by three to four years, allowing priority for base construction instead.
The Air Force envisioned a lunar base as a long-term, self-sustaining facility ideally situated underground.
Plans included accommodations for a crew of 21, with missions designed to last between seven to nine months to ensure comfort and readiness.
Ultimately, neither the Air Force nor the Army established a military presence on the Moon.
The ambitious plans for precision strikes against Earth remained unrealized.
Although the Air Force continued to investigate lunar possibilities and even proposed a “Lunar Expedition Plan” in 1961 for a crewed mission to an underground base, these initiatives faded over time.
When NASA successfully landed astronauts on the Moon in 1969, the concept of a military base had vanished from the scene altogether.
Source: Taskandpurpose.com